Sydney blue sparks Kewelling-off period

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Harry Kewell says he will have nothing to do with the Sydney Blues if Soccer NSW is involved.Photo: Sydney Morning Herald

Superstar Harry Kewell will bail out of the Sydney Blues consortium if it is forced into partnership with Soccer NSW, robbing Australia's youth of the world-class academy he was aiming to establish.

Kewell has committed himself to investing in the Sydney Blues model, which is bidding for one of the eight franchises up for grabs in the Australian Premier League due to start next year.

The bid, headed by Nick Politis, the multimillionaire car dealer and chairman of the Sydney Roosters rugby league team, looks to be in trouble, as Politis has revealed that Australian Soccer Association boss John O'Neill wants Soccer NSW to have a 25 per cent stake.

Politis is fuming, because O'Neill had asked him to participate and he previously had O'Neill's support.

Kewell decided to get involved to establish a world-class junior academy and committed himself to being a board member.

Now there is talk of involvement by Soccer NSW, Liverpool's English Premier League star Kewell wants no part of the franchise.

He has had a long-running feud with Soccer NSW about their junior development program.

"There is no way I will associate my name with anything that has Soccer NSW involved with it," Kewell told The Sun-Herald. "I would withdraw my support from the Sydney Blues if Soccer NSW are associated with any part of the bid."

Kewell's interest in being involved with the bid relates to his development academy, which he was hoping to tie up with the side. It has been suggested that the main reason Kewell is so against the Soccer NSW development program is a coaching video that will be released shortly.

It has also been said that Kewell is linking himself with the Sydney Blues to gain publicity for himself.

"Publicity stunt?" he asked. "Anyone who knows me will tell you that I've never been after publicity.

"All I wanted to do is give the most talented Australian kids the chance to be involved in the sort of development program that I know works because it has worked for me and other players before me.

"I would make the final decision on everything, including all staff and training methods. Suggestions I'm getting involved to promote a coaching video is absolute rubbish. I have not done, and I am not doing, anything related to a coaching video.

"The kids we would identify would not have to pay for any part of the program.

"Coaching, gear, insurance, doctors, physio, registration fees, accommodation, food, and not even for trials - it would all be provided free of charge.

"Soccer NSW does not allow this to happen. The only reason they gave me a one-year scholarship in 1994 was because Marconi offered me a scholarship first and they did not want to lose me.

"My parents had to pay for most things the other four years I was there.

"They also say their coaches make no representation to parents that their children will become world-class players.

"They say in their propaganda: 'Take the advantage of the opportunity to join the pathway of elite player development that will lead to the Joeys, Young Socceroos, or even the Socceroos. Live your dream!' This is again playing with the truth."

Kewell's manager, Bernie Mandic, said it would be a shame for the Sydney Blues to miss out on having Kewell's input because of the possible involvement of Soccer NSW.

"Harry Kewell committed to establishing a world-class junior development academy available to the best 11- to 16-year-olds from anywhere in Australia at no cost," Mandic said.